This webinar gives you lots of tips on how to prepare you child for transitioning into school as well as some frequently asked questions.
Welcome to the Hertfordshire Family Support Service transitions webinar. This webinar has been created in collaboration with the Family Support Service and Public Health Nursing. So there are things that you will need for your child’s school. Uniform may be needed depending on the
Setting your child will be attending. Schools and settings will have information about uniform on their website. This may also include information about how you can get help to purchase new or pre-loved uniforms and coats. It may be worthwhile washing the clothes so your child is used to the
Smell and ensure that they feel familiar. This is also a great opportunity to promote independence by letting your child practice getting dressed and undressed in their new clothes. If school uniform is not needed it is recommended that your child has clothes that are comfortable and easy to put
On. Zips and buckles may be difficult for your child so consider elasticated waists and velcro shoes. Be mindful of the fact that your child may get messy so keep their best clothes for home. Your child may need a bag for school as they may need to take in additional clothing for PE or
Changes of clothes. They may also need a book bag to bring home their reading book. Your child will need a labelled drink bottle to take to ensure they stay fully hydrated throughout the day. The recommendation is that your child’s drink is water. Only a washable plastic bottle with a sports lid
Should avoid leakage. It may be nice to let your child choose their water bottle as part of the transition process. There are many strategies to support your child with a smooth transition into their setting. When talking to your child about their new setting talk about it in a positive
Way. It is normal that you may miss your child and be concerned how they will cope with the change in routine but talking about the change in an exciting way will encourage them to feel excited. Taking regular walks past their new setting will help them to become familiar with the new
Surrounding area. Their new environment may sound smell and feel different so by visiting regularly it will ensure that they feel comfortable, Reading stories to your child about starting school is a great way to prepare your child for the next stage. There are numerous books available about starting
School. Please visit your local library where you can access these for free. Did you know that your library can also be part of your child’s journey and will celebrate their first Milestones. As part of their My First promotion children starting school can receive a My First Day at school
Certificate. Please visit your library for further information. Herts for Learning have amazing resources to support with transitions. Please visit their website for further information, advice and useful resources for a smooth transition. Click on the sections Ready Child and Ready Families for specific resources to meet your family’s individual needs. Attending sessions at your
Local Family Centre are a great way to introduce new environments and opportunities for your child to meet new people and play with the resources in a friendly and safe setting. You will also be able
To speak to our friendly team who will be able to answer any questions you may have. Did you know that your health visiting team have developed a useful website that can support you not only with transitions but with all areas of development with information, advice and guidance for your
Under fives. To encourage independence you can introduce simple mini goals for your child to achieve. These can be as simple as showing their happy face when they’re dropped off at school. You can then use a reward chart and tick off daily goals when your child has completed a week. Let
Them select a reward of their choice -this can include an extra story or a trip to the park. These do not have to be expensive rewards. Why not make a list of free activities that you and your
Child enjoy doing together. These can be written on individual pieces of paper and popped into a jar for your child to choose a weekly reward. There are numerous ways you can support your child’s listening and communication skills. Being a good listener yourself by making eye contact
With your child so they know they have your full attention. Get down to their level when you are talking to your child and playing games. Turn taking and listening games are a great way to encourage good listening skills as your child will need to listen for instructions to follow.
Children often get absorbed in their play so it’s a good idea to introduce a 5 minute warning that the activity is coming to an end. Sand timers are a great visual resource to use as your child can see the sand trickling through. Turning off distractions will allow your child to focus solely
On what they are doing. It is also a good idea to limit screen time. Using dinner time as a great opportunity to talk as a family is beneficial to everyone. It enables everyone to share their day
And is also a great opportunity to continue with turn taking as everyone needs to take their turn to share news. It’s also a great way to build your child’s confidence in understanding and recognizing social cues. You need to give your child a reason to communicate. As parents we
Often pre-empt our children’s needs as we want to ensure our child’s needs are met. For example if your child usually has a snack at 11:00 a.m. each day and you would usually make it and give
It to your child, you could make this snack and leave it on the side and wait for your child to communicate that they would like it. They could communicate this by pointing, gesturing, taking
You to the kitchen or asking for the snack. You can also offer your child an option of two choices to give them a reason to communicate. For example would they like the red or the blue plate. Did
You know that some 2-year-olds are entitled to 15 hours free child care if you are receiving some additional forms of government support? All children are entitled to up to 570 hours free child care per year from the term after they turn three until they start full-time education. Some
Families may also be eligible for additional hours. Working families who meet the national criteria may be entitled to additional hours totalling up to 1,140 hours a year. As of April 2024 working families who meet the national criteria may be eligible to access additional child care support
As shown in the slide. Please visit childcarechoices.gov.uk to see if you are eligible. You can also contact your local Family Centre Service on 0300 123 7572 where we would be happy to help you complete the application forms and help you find a setting. Children attending nursery are not
Entitled to free school meals so please discuss with their nursery regarding lunch arrangements. Children attending nursery are entitled to free milk. Children get a choice of whole milk or semi skimmed funded by the NHS. All children who attend reception, year one and year two in Hertfordshire
Are entitled to free school meals. Schools also provide free milk for all children up until their fifth birthday. If it’s during the term they won’t get free milk from that term onwards. Children from year three may be entitled to free school meals. Please scan the QR code to see if
You’re eligible. You may choose to provide a packed lunch for your child. Please ensure this includes at least one piece of fruit or vegetable such as an apple or some chopped carrot. Include your child when preparing their packed lunch and give them healthy choices to choose from as children
Are more inclined to try foods if they have been part of the process. Ideas for healthy packed lunches can be found by scanning the QR code. All schools in Hertfordshire are nut free so please ensure that your child’s snacks or packed lunches do not contain any nuts. It’s important that your child
Has breakfast as it makes sure your child has the energy they need to learn and play. Please remember to check the sugar content of cereals as some can have a higher sugar level which isn’t good for children’s teeth. Remember to look at the traffic light system on the box to help
Make healthier choices. Some schools and settings run breakfast clubs for a small fee. Children who have free school meals may be entitled to attend breakfast clubs for free. Walking or riding a bike to school have many benefits for your child’s physical health, well-being and the environment.
Some of the benefits of walking to school include improvements in your child’s mood and their behaviour, opportunities to talk to your child with no interruptions and for them to share share their feelings. It also helps their physical development as their physical fitness improves. Riding a bike
To school provides a lot of benefits including improved physical fitness, muscle regulation and growth, improved mental health and many more. Please ensure that if your child is walking or riding a bike to school that they are safe. Ensure appropriate clothing is worn so they are visible.
If they are riding a bike make sure they wear a helmet that is is the correct size and they have lights on their bike. Safety pads are also advised to protect elbows and knees from injury. Have your
Child’s bike checked regularly to ensure that it is safe to ride and the correct size for your child. You may be able to access a free bike check. Den’s bike project in Hemel Hempstead provide free bike checks and free safety lights. Please scan the QR code to visit their website. Hertfordshire County
Council provide information about cycle routes, cycle safety and cycle checks. Please scan the QR code to visit their website. Walking and riding a bike are also free and enables a safer environment near the school as there are less vehicles within the local area. Your child’s eyes may be checked a
Number of times throughout their first hours, weeks and years of their life to identify any problems early on. Free NHS sight tests are available at opticians for children under 16 and for young people under 19 in full-time education. For further information on eye tests and when these may take
Place and eligibility please scan the QR code. From brushing your child’s first tooth to their first trip to the dentist there are many ways to take care of your child’s teeth including the food and drink they have. Please scan the QR code to visit the NHS website for further information
On how to care for your child’s teeth. We also have a webinar on oral health that provides key information from when to attend the dentist for the first time with your child to stories you can read with your child about looking after their teeth and visiting the dentist.
Please visit our webinar page to access the oral health webinar. Do you have questions about toilet training? If you would like some further support and information then please view our webinar on toilet training. This webinar provides lots of key information and links to useful websites
To support you. You can also scan the QR code and visit the health for under 5s website and the Eric website for lots of useful information and strategies to support you. Please visit our frequently asked questions page for answers to questions we regularly receive regarding
Starting school. For further support please visit our website or contact us on 0300 123 7572